Tech Power

Highlights from the May issue of The Journal

By C Bryan Jones

Our May issue of The Journal focuses on technology and how it is applied to different areas of society. As the global population grows, the way we produce and use energy must evolve. And as the local population ages, technology can be applied in different areas to give us healthy, happy, and independent lives.

SILVER MARKET
The number of people in Japan over the age of 65 may be on the rise, but that doesn’t mean the nation is in decline. Technology is making longer, more fulfilling lives possible. For businesses, this represents a largely untapped customer base. We meet an 81-year-old iPhone game designer, an 87-year-old tech evangelist, and provide tips for companies looking to connect with these experienced consumers.

BATTERIES CHARGED
Power is another area in which technological advancements are changing the world for the better. Batteries are replacing traditional energy sources, and Tesla Inc. is leading the drive with its cars, home batteries, and innovative solar panel technology. The company’s Gigafactory 1 in the Nevada desert already produces more lithium-ion batteries than all factories in the world did in 2013—and it is only 30 percent complete. We embrace Elon Musk’s vision, take a Tesla Model S for a test drive, and catch a glimpse of our electric future.

IN THE KNOW
One of the most pervasive technologies of the past two decades is the Internet. It has transformed the world, enabling the sharing of information on a level unimaginable even 50 years ago. It has given everyone a voice and has shed light on the rights and wrongs of the world. To be unaware of news in 2017 requires real effort. But is all this news accurate? How does unbiased journalism survive in an age where anyone can publish? We sit down with Jonathan Wright, managing director international of Dow Jones, to learn how one of the world’s leading and most-trusted sources of news uses technology, and how they see the future.

STAYING WELL
Technology brings great benefit, but it can also put strains on our bodies. With so much of our daily lives revolving around the screen, we don’t move as much as we should. Coupled with workplace stress, this can lead to health issues—both mental and physical. We talk to some of Tokyo’s top trainers, physical therapists, and counselors about ways in which individuals can take better care of themselves, and how companies can help keep their teams fit and efficient.